Santa Catalina, a Royal Hideaway Hotel

First opened in 1890, the historic Santa Catalina is housed in one of Las Palmas’ most recognizable landmarks, a gorgeous building with traditional Canarian carved-wood balconies, cute arched windows with stone frames, and two turrets topped with ornate domes. A red carpet placed under a long red awning leads guests to the stately lobby, decorated with marble floors, bronze statues, wood accents, crystal chandeliers, tapestries, and rugs.

Off the lobby is Bar Carabela, the hotel’s elegant piano bar, which is a popular spot among guests for a quiet nightcap. Dark wooden floors, ornate wooden window and door frames, a long wooden bar, and plush velvet armchairs make this space cozy and inviting. Outside, a porched area overlooking the street offers additional seating during warmer nights.

A long list of celebrity guests have briefly called the Santa Catalina home, including Winston Churchill, several generations of the Spanish Royals, Gregory Peck, and Maria Callas, among many others.

The hotel is located inside Doramas Park, a lovely garden with fountains, tranquil paths, a large swimming center, sports facilities, and playgrounds. This part of town is a little away from the historic city center, but a quick cab ride gets guests to the heart of the action. Attraction such as the beautiful Gabinete Literario and Santa Ana Cathedral are a 12-minute drive away. The nearest beach is located a 15-minute walk away, and the marina, which is home to several restaurants, can be reached on foot in about five minutes.

The hotel has 202 rooms in categories ranging from Standard units to Senior Suites. Many have charming balconies furnished with wooden chairs and tables, but Single Rooms have views of walls and lack outdoor space. Decor is classic with sturdy traditional wooden furniture and elegant rugs, but rooms are a little spartan for a luxury hotel, with small generic paintings on the walls and few other ornaments. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and stocked minibars. Superior Rooms have park views, while Junior Suites and Suites have the perk of living rooms.

The hotel is known among tourists and locals alike for its gourmet restaurant. Helmed by Austrian Chef Thomas Leeb, La Terraza serves regional cuisine with an Austrian twist in an elegant space with outdoor seating. A wonderful free breakfast buffet is served every morning in Patio Las Tortugas, and live piano shows are offered several evenings a week at Bar Carabela. The pool is a quiet spot for a relaxing day in the sun, complete with loungers and a snack bar serving light bites and drinks. The hotel also offers a spa with treatments and a hydrotherapy area, and a gym with group classes, but there is a fee for use of either of them. There are three grand ballrooms and four smaller boardrooms for events and meetings. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout.